To enhance the role of youth and families in countering extremism in Anbar Governorate, specifically in the Al-Khalidiya district, the Iraqi TILY Youth Association implemented a project funded by GIZ. The project began in February 2023 and aims to provide a safe environment that supports youth, empowers them to express their opinions, and activates their role in countering violent extremism through various activities.

Project Goals and Directives

The primary goal of the project is to create a supportive environment for youth by organizing events and activities that encourage dialogue and positive criticism between youth and their parents to raise their awareness of the dangers of violent extremism. The project involves the participation of government institutions, civil society organizations, and various bodies within a framework of enhancing coordination and cooperation among all active stakeholders in the community.

The Iraqi TILY Youth Association plays a pivotal role in this context. It contributes to organizing youth clubs in various areas of Al-Khalidiya district, such as "Al-Salam, Al-Shuhada, and Al-Mu'allimeen," and involving them in various training workshops aimed at enhancing their dialogue and positive criticism skills. A platform is also provided for youth to participate in social, cultural, and sports initiatives that contribute to spreading awareness about violent extremism and ways to combat it.

Targeting Youth

Youth were recruited to the project through an electronic and paper form that allows for diverse participation from all segments of society in the Al-Khalidiya district. Youth are selected transparently, taking into account social and geographical diversity. Participants are distributed among host communities and returnees from conflict-affected areas, ensuring fair representation of both males and females.

Workshops and Training Activities

One of the project's most prominent activities is organizing training workshops on dialogue and positive criticism skills. These workshops are conducted with the participation of youth and their parents, with the aim of enhancing the youth's ability to deal with issues of violent extremism in a constructive and positive manner. The association also provides workshops aimed at developing youth skills in social media, encouraging participants to create awareness content that promotes against violent extremism through platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.

Promoting Dialogue Between Youth and Parents

One of the project's main objectives is to improve the dialogue environment between youth and their parents on sensitive topics such as violent extremism. By organizing dialogue and analytical sessions, the TILY Association works to provide an open platform where youth and their families can discuss the challenges they face in society and develop joint solutions. Opportunities available to improve coordination between the government and the local community in the field of combating violent extremism are also discussed.

Community Engagement and Awareness

The project has actively contributed to implementing community initiatives to raise awareness about the dangers of violent extremism. Sports and cultural events are organized in various areas of Al-Khalidiya, where youth and their parents participate in these activities that aim to spread awareness messages about the dangers of violent extremism. In addition, the association contributes to designing and disseminating awareness messages by producing short videos that address the risks associated with violent extremism, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the project in reaching the largest number of target groups.

Cooperation with Government Institutions and Civil Society

The importance of cooperation between different sectors to achieve the project's goals is highlighted. This involves organizing listening sessions with relevant government institutions, in addition to workshops with the Committee to Combat Violent Extremism in Anbar. This cooperation aims to enhance the ability of government institutions to interact with youth and their families more effectively, contributing to finding tangible solutions to the challenges of violent extremism.

Project Results Conference and Sustainability Mechanism

As part of its efforts to promote sustainability, the project contributes to organizing a conference that presents the project's results and recommendations regarding the role of youth in combating violent extremism. The Iraqi TILY Youth Association participates in presenting solutions and ideas on how to sustain these activities, as well as how to include these initiatives within relevant government programs, ensuring that the project will not be limited to the implementation period but will continue to positively impact the local community in Anbar. The "Our Role" project is an important step towards empowering youth in Anbar to collectively combat violent extremism. By interacting with government institutions and local partners, the project contributes to building a society resistant to extremism, supported by effective coordination between youth and their families. The project also reflects an ideal model for youth participation in the process of peace-building and social change by educating them and developing their skills in dialogue, media, and community initiatives.